87R6418 MLH-D
 
  By: Reynolds H.B. No. 2082
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to polling places in a precinct.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 43.001, Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 43.001.  NUMBER OF [ONE] POLLING PLACES [PLACE] IN EACH
  PRECINCT. (a) Except as provided by this section, each [Each]
  election precinct established for an election shall be served by a
  single polling place located within the boundary of the precinct.
         (b)  In a county with a population of more than 500,000, each
  election precinct established for an election may be served by more
  than one polling place if:
               (1)  each polling place is located within the boundary
  of the precinct; and
               (2)  consideration is given to population density in
  selecting the location of each polling place, so that each polling
  place serves approximately the same number of voters.
         SECTION 2.  Sections 43.002(a) and (b), Election Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  For a general or special election in which the use of
  county election precincts is required, the county clerk shall
  recommend the location of the polling place or places for each
  county election precinct, except as provided by Subsection (b).
  The commissioners court shall designate the recommended location as
  a [the] polling place unless the court finds good cause to reject
  the recommendation. In that case, the commissioners court shall
  designate another location.
         (b)  If county election precincts are consolidated, the
  commissioners court shall designate the location of the polling
  place or places for the consolidated precinct.
         SECTION 3.  Section 43.003, Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 43.003.  DESIGNATION OF LOCATION: PRIMARY ELECTION.
  The county chair of a political party holding a primary election
  shall designate the location of the polling place or places for each
  election precinct in the primary unless the precinct is one that is
  consolidated. In that case, the county executive committee shall
  designate the location or locations.
         SECTION 4.  Section 43.004(a), Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  The governing body of each political subdivision
  authorized to hold elections, other than a county, shall designate
  the location of the polling place or places for each of its election
  precincts.
         SECTION 5.  Section 43.005, Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 43.005.  DESIGNATION OF LOCATION: CERTAIN SPECIAL
  ELECTIONS. The authority establishing election precincts under
  Section 42.062 shall designate the location of the polling place or
  places for each precinct.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.